CMS NEWS: RFI Comment Period Extended

CMS BLOG (updated from 12/30/15)

http://blog.cms.gov/2015/12/30/improving-the-submission-of-quality-data-to-cms-quality-reporting-programs/

February 1, 2016

By: Kate Goodrich, M.D., M.H.S., Director, Center for Clinical Standards & Quality, CMS

 

RFI Comment Period Extended

CMS & ONC Release Request for Information: Certification Frequency and Requirements for the Reporting of Quality Measures under CMS Programs

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), in conjunction with the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC), published the Request for Information: Certification Frequency and Requirements for the Reporting of Quality Measures under CMS Programs on December 31, 2015. It can be found on the Federal Register.

Today, a comment period extension notice was posted in the Federal Register

https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/02/02/2016-01937/requests-for-information-certification-frequency-and-requirements-for-the-reporting-of-quality

Now, the RFI has a 45-day comment period. Comments are due February 16, 2016.

As outlined in the RFI, CMS and ONC seek public comment on several items related to the certification of health information technology (IT), including Electronic health record (EHR) products used for reporting to the:

• EHR Incentive Programs; and
• Certain CMS quality reporting programs such as, but not limited to, the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) Program and the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS). 

CMS and ONC request feedback on how often to require recertification, the number of CQMs a certified Health IT Module should be required to certify to and ways to improve testing of certified Health IT Module(s).  The feedback will inform CMS and ONC of elements that may need to be considered for future rules relating to the reporting of quality measures under CMS programs.  This request for information is part of the effort of CMS to streamline/reduce Eligible Professional (EP), eligible hospital, critical access hospital (CAH), and health IT developer burden around government requirements.

Please visit the RFI for instructions on how to submit comments. We want to hear from you and value all input received from our stakeholders.